Page 19 of Gem Warfare

“We had a jeweler client a few months back. I could ask if they would do it, or if they know someone who will.”

“Thanks. I’ll need to check with the department first in case we have an approved expert, but I might take you up on that.”

“I can’t believe you showed me the jewels, and not the driver’s license.”

“I think I showed you out of sheer surprise, although I’m not sure why anything you say surprises me. I must have had a senior moment.”

“Lieutenant?” At the fence line, the ME was halfway into her white suit and pulling the upper half over her shoulders. Lights had been set up in the yard and her deputy was assembling acanopy over the body. “Would you like to join us?” she asked.

“Gotta go,” said Garrett, abruptly turning on his heel.

“But…” I started to protest, but he was already gone, leaving me hovering by myself with the uniformed officer eyeing me uncertainly. I waited a moment, watching the ME and her colleagues zip closed the canopy sides, completely removing the burial site from view. That had to be a good thing because along with the arrival of Garrett and the ME came several bystanders and the steady hub of low, excited, chatter was growing. With every passing minute, news was spreading and it was only a matter of time before the mawkish masses showed up to gawk.

I moved around a couple of neighbors who lived down the street and headed for Solomon and my mom. “Where are the Dugans?” I asked.

“One of the officers took them inside to pack a bag. They’ve decided to get a hotel for the night,” said Solomon.

“I said they could stay with me and your father but they were adamant they didn’t want to put us out,” said Mom.

“Sensible on all counts,” I said, imagining how my mother’s interrogation would go once she had the Dugans in her home. I could already imagine the Dugans’ shell-shocked faces tomorrow morning. “What did they have to say about Garrett’s questions?”

“Nothing unexpected came up. He asked them about their home ownership, the renovations, who had access to the site, who were the previous owners. Where did they previously live, where did they grow up. Everything we would ask.”

“He’s a very good detective,” said Mom, looking pleased.

“What about you?” asked Solomon, addressing me.

“Lexi tries her best and we’re very proud of her too,” said Mom.

“Thanks, Mom.” I restrained the sigh threatening to leak out.

“Lexi is an excellent investigator but I actually meant whathad she found out from Garrett,” said Solomon.

“Oh,” said Mom. “Oh. Of course. What did you find out, darling?” She patted me on the arm and I jumped.

“Garrett found a few things on the body that could help with the identification. He wouldn’t show me everything,” I said, skirting around the big reveal as I tried to brush off her hand. That would be something I told Solomon later when my mother wasn’t hovering and ready to tell the entire neighborhood, no matter what she said.

“Figures,” said Solomon.

“It’s so nice of your brother to help you out,” said Mom. “He always was a good boy. So smart. No wonder he’s made such a career for himself.”

I ignored that. “So what do we do now?” I wondered.

“I’ve left our cards with the Dugans and suggested they call us tomorrow if they want to, after they’ve thought things over. For now, I think we should go home and resume our evening plans,” said Solomon.

“You don’t want to stay and watch the body being exhumed?” asked Mom. “I only saw part of the skeleton. I wonder how long it’ll take to dig out the rest? Or do you think they dig it out with tiny spades and brush it off with toothbrushes like they do on archeology shows? I wonder if the adult education center runs an archeology course? I almost finished making my basket.”

“We can only see the tent,” pointed out Solomon. Two men brushed past us, craning their heads to see. “Plus, it’s drawn attention.”

“Such busybodies,” said Mom, without irony as she continued to stare. “Rubbernecking like that isn’t a real-life tragedy in there.”

Solomon raised his eyebrows just barely and I held back a smile. “We’ll walk down the street with you, Mom,” I said.

“No need. I’m staying. The Dugans need to know they have afriend,” she said, folding her arms and planting her feet like we were about to tackle and carry her off the field.

“Okay,” I said, and turned to leave with Solomon.

“Wait! You’re really going?” Mom’s face fell.

---